Press & Media

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announces more than $3 million in Federal Rural Development Funding for the Village of Joy to Improve Water Treatment facilities

JOY, IL – Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced more than $3 million in funding from the USDA’s Rural Development program for the Village of Joy. Specifically, this announcement is for a $1,530,000 loan and a $1,471,400 grant to improve water treatment facilities in the community. In addition to these funds, the State of Illinois is also investing $450,000 for a project grand total of $3,451,400.

This Rural Development investment will be used for the construction of a new water treatment facility and includes an emergency generator, rehabilitation and chemical treatment of wells, installation and replacement of water lines, a ground storage tank and aerator, elevated water tower and the replacement of 100 residential water meters. The new treatment facility will replace the existing system, which has reached the end of its useful life, results in costly repairs and maintenance. The new treatment facility will also resolve health and sanitary issues. The project will benefit 417 residential users.

“Access to clean drinking water is essential for any community to succeed which is why I’m proud to announce more than $3 million in federal funding for the hardworking families in Joy,” said Congresswoman Cheri Bustos. “I would like to thank the USDA and State Director Wilson for investing in the future of small towns across our nation through the Rural Development Program, which has proven to create jobs in northwest and central Illinois. Despite attempts to eliminate funding for such critical programs in the Farm Bill and budget, I will fight to protect rural development dollars to ensure the USDA can continue their great work.”

“We’re delighted that Rural Development funding is available to use to partner with rural communities,” said Douglas Wilson, USDA Rural Development Director, IL. “It is important that Joy and other communities can seize the economic and workforce development opportunities that result from a strong foundation of modern, reliable infrastructure.”

A member of the House Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure Committees in the House, Congresswoman Bustos is serving on the Farm Bill Conference Committee that will negotiate the final version of the 2018 Farm Bill. The House version, which passed with no Democratic votes, had a number of objectionable measures, including zeroing out mandatory funding for the USDA’s Rural Development program. The Senate version of the Farm Bill did not include this cut, and Congresswoman Bustos will be fighting to protect funding for programs like this.